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Definition & Benefits of SEL

What is Social/Emotional Learning (SEL)?

According to CASEL, a leading research organization regarding social/emotional learning (SEL) and its implementation in schools, SEL refers to the knowledge, skills, and abilities that are “necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions” (CASEL, https://casel.org/what-is-sel, 2018).

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CASEL has identified 5 core competencies that comprise SEL:

  1. Self-awareness

  2. Self-management

  3. Social awareness

  4. Relationship skills

  5. Responsible decision-making

CASEL Wheel_edited.jpg

Benefits of SEL

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Research shows that strong SEL skills benefit students’ school functioning and their success as adults. This, in turn, has benefits for the greater society, such as the workforce and economy.

 

Check out this video to learn more about the benefits of SEL:

At school, strong SEL skills are associated with:

  • Reduced conduct problems

  • Decreased emotional distress

  • Increased academic achievement

  • Higher graduation rates

  • Improved college/postsecondary readiness

  • Increased positive social interactions with peers and adults

  • More positive attitudes toward self and others

 

Students with strong SEL skills are less likely to have mental health concerns, use drugs/alcohol, commit crimes, or utilize public assistance programs as adults.

 

Additionally, students with strong SEL skills are more likely to have stable employment as adults.  The skills necessary for career success, such as cooperating with teams and managing your emotions, are directly related to the 5 SEL core competencies.  Employers desire workers with strong SEL skills!

 

(CASEL & Committee for Children, 2016; National Commission on Social, Emotional, and Academic Development, 2017)

Additional Resources

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You can explore more about SEL and its benefits using the resources below.

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CASEL (Collaborative for Academic, Social, & Emotional Learning)

https://casel.org/

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Committee for Children

https://www.cfchildren.org/about-us/research/making-the-case-for-sel/

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Congressional Briefing by CASEL & Committee for Children

(Why Social & Emotional Learning & Employability Skills Should Be Prioritized in Education)

https://www.casel.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Sept.-14-2016-Congressional-Briefing-on-SEL-and-Employability-Skills.pdf

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Research Brief by The Aspen Institute

(The Evidence Base for How We Learn: Supporting Students' Social, Emotional, & Academic Development)

https://assets.aspeninstitute.org/content/uploads/2017/09/SEAD-Research-Brief-9.12_updated-web.pdf

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References

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See here for a more detailed explanation of each competency:  NJ DOE Description of SEL Competencies

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Children learn the 5 core competencies by observing their parents and others, as well as through direct instruction (such as being directly taught a step-by-step method to solve a problem or learning vocabulary to identify their feelings).

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